Desert driving in a new Aveo/Daewoo

duskglow · Post by **duskglow** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:52 pm

It looks like I may be going to Tucson in a couple of weeks. It won't be like July, but it's probably going to be very hot and very dry. My car will have about a thousand miles on it at the time. Is there anything special I should do when taking a new car through the desert?

BosnianLanos · Post by **BosnianLanos** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:59 pm

Check your coolant, your oil, and your tire pressure.

Dial your tire pressure in maybe 5-8 psi below the desired level, so that the ultra-hot tarmac doesn't lead to blowouts.

duskglow · Post by **duskglow** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:22 pm

Hmm, thanks. Do you drive through the desert frequently? Just curious - as I stated in an earlier comment, I still don't trust my car, even though it's new, we're getting to know each other

Maybe I'll go to Pep Boys today and get a survival kit.

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:22 am

duskglow wrote:Hmm, thanks. Do you drive through the desert frequently? Just curious - as I stated in an earlier comment, I still don't trust my car, even though it's new, we're getting to know each other

Maybe I'll go to Pep Boys today and get a survival kit.

I live around that area... and drive it everyday. Not much you can do than make sure the car isn't over heating. Be carfull of brake fade too, after a hard stop from freeway speeds they'll barley work untill they cool off a bit more

whiteraven · Post by **whiteraven** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:54 pm

I drive my Aveo everyday in Phoenix, AZ without any issues. In fact I love it cause I still get good gas mileage with the A/C on.

In fact, if you can manage to stop up in the Phoenix area, hollar at me.

duskglow · Post by **duskglow** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:59 pm

Going through Phoenix, but I'm going to see my gf, so I doubt I'll be stopping at least on the way down.

On the way back, I may have a couple of hours to spare...

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:00 am

Make 100% sure your spare is in good condition and be sure to check it's pressure just in case.

I'm sure the last thing on your mind is a flat tire, but if you get caught on a hot day and your spare is dead you could end up getting cooked.

I don't know how hard it is to hitch a ride down that way but even in the places where it's acceptable people seem unwilling to stop these days.

It's not so much a tip for hot weather as it is a tip for any trip.

you might even consider bringing along a gallon jug of water, safety/first aid kit, walkie talkie and small fire extinguisher.

Even if you don't use the water for your car.... you never know when you might need it for yourself... so make sure the water is "drinkable"

Lastly.... a package of salted crackers to keep your salt levels up and help with hunger if you get lost and break down in the middle of nowhere.

With a pack of crackers and a gallon of water you could probably walk out of any break down situation

Some of the safety/first aid kits come with a thermal blanket.... which can be used to block the sun or keep you warm at night.

You might be travelling on the innerstate and think you don't need this stuff, but you just never know.

duskglow · Post by **duskglow** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:50 pm

Hi all,

I took the drive to Tucson. No problems at all. The A/C had a little hard time keeping up with the sun, and I noticed it was the humidity, not the heat (or maybe in addition to it) that seemed to cause the loss in power I noticed earlier (that also seems to happen when I leave a car wash), but it went a thousand miles with no problems. I think I can trust it now.